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WATCH: Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam logs impressive 40-yard dash time at NFL Combine

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby: Jonathan Wagner03/06/22j_wags74
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Michael Reaves via Getty Images.

Florida Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam continues to impress at the NFL Scouting Combine. As part of the drills for defensive backs on Sunday, Elam stepped up for the 40-yard dash, where he posted an impressive (but unofficial) 4.47.

Elam played eight games at Florida as a freshman in 2019, where he totaled 10 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. In 2020, he had 39 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, 11 passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 12 games. This past season, Elam totaled 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and five passes defended in ten games.

Elam appears to be a fringe late first round to early second round pick in the NFL Draft, though there is still time for him to move firmly into first round territory. There is a talented group of corners that could go in the first round, including Ahmad Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr, Andrew Booth Jr, and Trent McDuffie.

Elam is ready to continue his competitive hunger in the NFL

On Saturday, Elam spoke to reporters at the NFL Combine. He was asked about where his competitive nature and on-the-field attitude come from, and he said that everything about who he is stems from the environment he grew up in. Elam wants to win in everything, and that won’t change at the next level.

“From where I’m from, I feel like the environment I grew up in was always competing for everything,” Elam said. “And it’s a tough environment. It really shows in my football game because I just want to win and beat you no matter what. No matter what the circumstance, no matter who you are in front of me, I feel like I’m trying to dominate you to the best of my abilities. If you get angry, that ain’t my fault. But it’s just how I was raised – to win everything and everything in the aspect of life.”

When it comes to being one-on-one against a receiver on an “island,” Elam doesn’t back down. Instead, he uses that competitive fire he grew up with and uses it as motivation to continue dominating.

“For me, I feel like a challenge really motivates me and turns my game up to another level,” he said. “So, I feel like being out there — I really get excited being on an island by myself because I feel like I’m better than everybody I play against, and I’m looking to dominate you because I know the work I put in. Not being cocky or arrogant, but I know the work I put in to really excel and go out there and dominate.”